Manila: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing $20 million in
grants and loans to support Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Viet
Nam prevent the spread of HIV infections in 23 border provinces where risks are
growing due to increased population movement and commercial activities along
economic corridors.
“As people and
products move more freely across borders, so do communicable diseases, such as
HIV,” said Emiko Masaki, Social Sector Economist at ADB’s Southeast Asia
Department. “This project will help in strengthening the HIV response systems
of Viet Nam and Lao PDR to protect their most vulnerable populations with
information, skills, supplies and access to quality healthcare services.”
Border regions have
some of the poorest and most isolated populations, with limited access to
health services and limited knowledge of HIV risks. New cross border roads, and
the mushrooming of hotels, casinos and other businesses in border areas, have
increased the threat of HIV infection.
Adult HIV infection
rates in Viet Nam and Lao PDR are modest at an estimated 0.4% and 0.2% of the
respective populations, but the disease has spread to all districts in Viet Nam
and is rising in border zones. Meanwhile, being surrounded by countries with
higher HIV prevalence has created a high-risk environment for Lao PDR.
Many previous efforts
to combat the spread of HIV have been targeted at key populations at higher
risk in major urban areas, but resource constraints have limited interventions
in more isolated areas. The project will help the two countries strengthen
national HIV planning and management, upgrade the knowledge and skills of
health workers providing HIV-related services to remote communities, and
scale-up behavioral change campaigns on HIV risks amongst at-risk groups,
including those in border districts.
The latest investment
builds on past ADB HIV/AIDS-related projects in the Greater Mekong Subregion
dating back to 1997.
A technical
assistance grant of $1 million from the Cooperation Fund for Fighting HIV/AIDS
in Asia and the Pacific, financed by the Government of Sweden, to be
administered by ADB, will strengthen HIV response at the regional level through
knowledge and information sharing and joint pilot activities for HIV services
in border areas, amongst state agencies, the private sector, and nongovernment organizations.
The project is
expected to be implemented over five years until December 2017, at a cost of $21.9 million
with the Governments of Lao PDR and Viet Nam contributing more than $0.5
million and $1.3 million, respectively.